What I want for Xmas... an X-form stool 'at auction'!

Who doesn't have a soft spot for an X-form stool! They are so chic, and versatile too! They fit anywhere, in any style decor, and what a great holiday gift! They can be found regularly at auction.

 Elle Decor - Designer: Paolo Moschino

This living room designed by Paolo Moschino is a great example of X stool chic. In a room with two large comfy sofas, additional seating is offered by the day bed and the X form stools. The stools can be moved around, and with a tray on top could even serve as another table. I also loved the blue leather upholstery. This adds color to the room, and looks very smart!

 Elle Decor - Designer: Gwynn Griffith

In this library, the designer Gwynn Griffith places a pair of X form stools by a table piled high with books. They are so inviting as a place to sit and flip though some of the books as you walk by. They don't take up any room either. 

This pair of neoclassical style x-form stools are extra chic because of the leopard print upholstery. Nothing like a touch of animal print in a room to jazz it up.These are Lot 1020 in the Bonhams auction being held December 5th in Los Angeles. They are fruitwood and 19th century. They have an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

This lovely little stool is an early 19th century Regency mahogany curule-form stool. This is included in the next Christie's Interiors sale in New York December 8th. This is Lot 177, and has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200.

This Victorian X form stool made of walnut has lovely carved detail. It's also adjustable for height since it was meant to be a piano bench. This sold at a Brunk Auction for $100! This was such a bargain, I would have had the seat recovered in a fun bright colored leather or velvet.

For a modern take, try these stools by the Danish designer Östen Kristiansson, circa 1970, They are made of leather, oak and brass, and fold up, so that you can leave them in a closet or against a wall until needed - but why would you? They are very cool looking, and would be great set up in your living room for extra seating. These sold at a Wright auction for $1,875 off an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000. 

Architectural Digest - Designer: Shelton, Mindel & Assocs.

The Poul Kjærholm stools in this Manhattan living room are a perfect example of the modern take on the X stool. There isn't really extra room for seating around the generous coffee table besides the sofa and pair of tub chairs, but these X stools snuggle right in. 

With the holidays coming up, and if you're wondering what to give that special person who already has everything (!), put an X stool or two on your list and keep an eye out at auction.

Cool modern bar carts

I love the idea of a bar cart. Use it for drinks, or as a side table piled high with magazines. The beauty of it is that it can easily be moved around.

Skonahem Magazine (Sweden)

Doesn't this look cool! Great your guests with a martini glass or even just a glass of wine for a festive start to your party. 

Try this mid-century version out for size at the next Kamelot Auction in Philadelphia scheduled for November 19th. This is made of chrome and brass and is 26.5" high. It was made circa 1960, and has an auction estimate of $200 - $400. It's conveniently on rollers, and can be moved around to your guests!

Here is another mid-century design, but much more traditional looking in my opinion. This is described as an Aldo Toro brass and goat skin serving cart, circa 1960. This is also in the Kamelot auction with an estimate range of $100 - $200. It's 29 inches tall. I like the classic design and can easily see it stacked with wine and crystal Glasses, or alternatively with magazine on the bottom rack and tea and cookies on the top. 

There's something about a multi-tiered cart. It makes for much more interesting display. Think of all the options - glasses on one level, bottles on another, a cool ice bucket on a third, and perhaps some flowers. This is an Edward Wormley designed cart circa 1957 for Dunbar, and sold at a Wright Auction in Chicago for $875 off an auction estimate of $500 - $700. It's made of laminate, walnut and brass.

For another multi-tiered version, here is a  Gabriella Crespi designed cart, circa 1970. It's made of brass, glass and plastic. This sold at a Wright Auction for $2,000 off an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000. Very sleek and very Italian!

 Elle Decor - Designer: Robert Stilin

For another idea of how to use a bar cart, in this bedroom the designer, Robert Stilin, uses one as a coffee table in front of the couch. You could move it around the seating area depending on where you sit. Pile the bottom shelf with books and magazine, and have your pot of coffee on the top shelf for a relaxing Sunday morning!

Bill Blass Style 'at auction'

I have always liked the fashion designs of Bill Blass - classic and simple with gorgeous details. His apartment in New York designed with the help of Chessy Rayner and Mica Ertugun of the interior design firm MAC II reflect the same aesthetic.

All photos via Home Design Ideas blog

The furniture is very Regency in style and the decorative details are wonderfully classic, like globes, architectural models, and columns. The apartment is masculine, but not so much so that I couldn't move right in! I wouldn't change a thing. 

I thought I'd look at auctions to find a few things that Bill would like if he were still with us!

Stair Galleries in Hudson, NY has an auction November 4th at 6pm English, Continental and American antiques. If Bill were here he'd love this Empire style table. This is Lot 29, and is made of Kingwood, tulipwood, and has gilt-metal mounts and is part-ebonized. The classic decoration with the heads holding up the top make this a piece that could grace a smaller entyway, or a living room. This has an auction estimate of $700 - $900.

This chair exudes chic! This is an Italian late Neoclassical style part-ebonized, parcel gilt, carved mahogany curule form chair. This is Lot 39 in the Stair auction, and has an auction estimate of $400 - $600. The arms topped with eagle and rams heads, with hoofed feet tick all the classical style boxes. 

You will notice in the Bill Blass apartment that he has a number of bronze sculptures and classical marble busts. This bronze pacing lion would fit in perfectly. This is included in the Christie's NY auction titled '500 Years of Decorative Arts Europe', which is being held November 22nd. This is Lot 3 and measures 4 1/2 inches tall and 7 inches long. It's 19th century Italian, and has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

The Christie's sale has a lot of beautiful antique furniture, much of which fit better in the collectors range for prices. This early 19th century pair of Restauration mahogany chairs would work in Bill's apartment nicely without totally breaking the bank. They are Lot 363 and have an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000

Bonhams has an evocatively named auction coming up November 16th in NY - The Gentleman's Library. Doesn't that just speak to the Bill Blass stye! You will notice in the last photo that Bill loved architectural models, and the Bonhams auction includes a lot with two of them. How perfect. These are Lot 2010, made of mahogany with an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

You will also notice globes as decoration in Bill's apartment. This armillary has the classical style, and might be even more decorative! This is in the Bonhams auction, Lot 2018 with an auction estimate of $600 - $800. It measures 22 1/2 inches tall.

Bill Blass had a pair of lovely Regency chaise longue in his living room. Similar ones can often be found at auction. This one was sold at a Bonhams auction for $1,500.







The Bill Blass style is classic, clean and modern in feel.  His look can be recreated at auction from the furniture to the decorative details, and the thrill of the hunt will add to the fun!